Monday, January 14, 2002		Latest in IT world

Computer security experts told Reuters that they had found the first virus designed to attack Macromedia Flash animation files, which are used in the Internet advertising and on glitzy Websites. The virus, dubbed SWF/LFM.926, is low risk because it must be downloaded manually and cannot spread itself to other computers over e-mail or through Web browsers like many other viruses can. However, people who browse an affected Website or use e-mail could still become infected if they download and open an infected Flash file on their computer outside of the browser, Macromedia said.A spokeswoman at San Francisco-based Macromedia said the company would release a patch for the virus within the next few days. The virus affects Windows NT and XP-based computers, but only those storing Flash files, which can be movies, games and other animations. When executed, the virus displays a message saying "Loading Flash Movie" and shows a number puzzle that people might try to solve. The virus also creates a program that infects other Flash files on the same system.

MAIT, the apex body representing the hardware, training and services sectors of the IT industry in the country, has announced the findings of its Industry Performance Review for the first-half of 2001-02. The desktop PC market grossed 8.03 lakh units registering a negative growth of 4 per cent over the same period in the previous year and a negative growth of 23 per cent compared to the second-half of 2000-01. The smaller lesser known regional PC brands and unbranded systems, accounted for 44 per cent of the PC sales in 2001-02. The proportion of the assembled PC sales showed a negative growth of 28 per cent. Printer sales, according to MAIT-IMRB estimates, dropped by 18 per cent compared to that in H1/2000-01 - sales of dot-matrix fell by 3 per cent, laser printers by 21 per cent and inkjet printers by 32 per cent.

Security for global computer networks is 'far worse' than optimal, a prestigious US research institute said citing vulnerabilities to 'sleeper' attacks using unsuspecting computer users, AFP reported. The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, part of the government-funded National Research Council, said in its report that cybersecurity needs considerable improvement. The study sought to evaluate the risks of cyberattacks in the wake of the Sept 11 attacks, and noted that an attack on computer networks could be especially damaging in coordination with a physical attack. For example, disabling air traffic control computers during a hijacking could compound the problem. "The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow's terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb," the report said.

Communications company Hughes has launched its 'Direcway global education initiative' in the country, which is aimed at offering satellite based e-learning programme. "The company has rolled out the service in the country for offering global education. The initiative would provide a platform that would allow students to attend lectures and interact with faculty, online," company sources said here. Direcway, a two way system allows user to send and receive information via satellite. Meanwhile, in line with plans to roll out its ambitious 'Spaceway' project in Asia Pacific, Hughes is looking for local partners in the region including India for part funding the Asian investment requirement estimated at $ 700-750 million.